Protecting its resident bats is an important part of the conservation task during the restoration of Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham’s Grade I listed country house.
But now the tables have turned – and the story of one little bat, written by local children’s author Sue Wilkins, is about to help with the preservation of their home.
Her beautifully-illustrated book aimed at three to seven year-olds tells the fictional tale of Billy, a bat who was born in the mansion’s stables in 1912. His adventures, told in rhyme, feature highlights of the house and gardens and also carry an educational message about the habits of bats and society’s need to protect them.
Historical facts are weaved into the tale. The bat falls down a chimney into the grand Whistlejacket Room and goes on to see King George V and Queen Mary, who actually came to stay in July that year.
Profits from the book and a Billy the Bat toy will boost the trust’s income.
Wentworth Woodhouse’s CEO Sarah McLeod called on self-published author Sue Wilkins after working with her in 2016.
Sarah was then CEO of the Arkwright Society, which looks after the upkeep and renovation of Sir Richard Arkwright’s Cromford Mill in Derbyshire, and commissioned Sue to write an adventure story for its mascot, Arkwright the Duck.
“The book was really popular,” said Sarah. “I had one in mind for Wentworth Woodhouse – the story of a bat named Billy after the 7th Earl Fitzwilliam. Sue was the perfect person for the task.”
Chesterfield-born Sue lives in Matlock and has been self-publishing children’s books since 2014 with the support of Calver-based Liz Furness, a talented illustrator and part-time carer.
Sue said: “I’d never heard of Wentworth Woodhouse, so Sarah suggested I visit. I fell in love with it and the amazing stories of its owners. Sarah told me about the Trust’s plans for the site and I accepted immediately.”
Sue had to learn about bats, too: “I always thought they were blind,” she explained. “When I found that though they rely heavily on sonar, they do have relatively good vision, I could plan what my character would discover on his adventures, such as the famous George Stubbs painting of the Marquess’s racehorse Whistlejacket, the bear pit which was once in the gardens and an encounter with the King and Queen.”
The book launched at Wentworth Woodhouse this month with a free bat crafting and book-reading event for children.
Thomas Stephenson, 11, and his sister Anna, 7, from Wentworth village, attended. Said Thomas: “We enjoyed hearing Sue read the story. We love books and we love bats. They come into our garden to eat the plums and pears. Bats need to be protected and I think people need to understand more about them.”
Retired Sheffield Hallam University lecturer Tim Mulroy, from Rotherham, and his wife Angela had brought along their five-year-old grandson Robert McWhinnie, from Macclesfield.
Said Tim: “We are very proud of Wentworth Woodhouse. When relatives visit, this is the place we bring them to. Robert is new to bats. He has learned a lot today and we will be reading the book at bedtime.”
